Health Tips

The Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Marketplace

In March 2010, Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into Law. The ACA also known as Obamacare contains important provisions intended to increase access to health coverage and care, expand our focus on prevention and public health, bolster our health workforce and infrastructure, promote quality and efficiency in our health system and curb health care costs.

Many provisions of the ACA are already in effect, but it is now time to launch the major components that are predicted to expand coverage to 25 million uninsured Americans over the next ten years. Oct 1st the ACA's Health Insurance Marketplace will officially open, and consumers will be able to shop for and enroll in coverage that will begin as early as January 1st. Expansions of Medicaid coverage in many states and new consumer protections will also go into effect on January 1st.

In-Person Assistance Locators

October 1, 2013: The marketplace officially opens; consumers can start submitting applications and enrolling for coverage.

January 1, 2014: Marketplace plan coverage begins as early as this date.
Medicaid expansions begin, such as the ban on denying coverage on pre- existing conditions.< Minimum essential coverage requirement begins.
March 31, 2014 The first marketplace open enrollment period ends. After this date, consumers will not be able to get health coverage through the marketplace until the next annual enrollment period (in fall 2014, to enroll or coverage that will begin January 2015, unless they have a qualifying life event like a job loss, birth or divorce.